Articles written by Baja Raquel

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About me - Baja Raquel

Raised in North Dakota and Montana I was bitten by the travel bug early on. At 14 I went on a student exchange to Germany. At 15 I went to Japan. At 21 I spent a year in China. I'v always been fascinated by other cultures and found my "home" in Mexico six

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Health & Fitness > Medical Concerns & Issues Where can those with chronic pain get help: 1 of 11
Chronic pain almost always takes the same route. An acute pain takes you to your doctor where medication is prescribed. When medication doesn't work, further testing results. It becomes a process of elimination. If nothing can be found, the patient is often left to sail alone in the sea of pain.This doesn't have to be the way... More..
Health & Fitness > Health Care Drop-In health clinics at Wal-Mart stores: Good or bad idea: 1 of 7
Given the rise in the number of urgent care clinics, it seems almost natural that Wal-Mart would install drop in clinics in their stores. It is an excellent business decision.Most Wal-Mart stores have opticians, banks and photo studios. Adding a medical care clinic is another reason to provide an item that the customer wants,... More..
Travel > Vacations Which is a better summer vacation spot: The beach or the mountains?: 9 of 52
Summer mountains are a treasure to behold. The mountains are awake and alive for only a few short months each year. Nothing compares to nature's garden on a short leash like a mountain. It is a miracle to see a stream that has literally stood frozen for months, percolating across smooth rocks. Vegetation that is so green it h... More..
Politics, News & Issues > US Immigration How could the US and Mexico work together to curb crime and illegal immigration along the border?: 5 of 25
Since living within a two-hour drive of the US border in Mexico for the last seven years, I've been able to get a real perspective on the border issue. I came from the Northern part of the US and thought every Mexican wanted to live in the US. That was a misinformed ideation planted by the media and an embarrassing lack of kn... More..
Health & Fitness > Arthritis Understanding fibromyalgia: 5 of 21
Hug me but don't touch me. That is life for those with fibromyalgia. Best referred to as "arthritis of the muscles," fibromyalgia is a disease of imbalance, physically, mentally, and emotionally. Physically, the pain is similar to having a constant flu. The diagnosis for FMS was originally an 11-point tender test but today en... More..
Home & Garden > Weeds & Pests True gardening stories: The worst pest experience: 17 of 66
Often my worst pest experiences were my pets, specifically my box of rocks yellow lab, Einstein. He lived to be with me no matter what I was doing. When it was time to create the flower beds for our newly remodeled house, Einstein participated to his fullest.We started the day early in the morning by jumping in the "Booger" a... More..
Politics, News & Issues > Environment (Other) What is more important: Alternative fuels or affordable food?: 6 of 20
I grew up in the U.S., lived in China for a year and currently live in Mexico. This has allowed me to step back and scrutinize this quandary from an unusual perspective. My answer will always come down to affordable food. Fossil or alternative fuels do not feed you. Ask the survivors of Katrina what was more important food or... More..
Politics, News & Issues > Conservation Do individual consumer choices make a difference in creating a more sustainable society?: 5 of 16
"Give a hoot, don't pollute." Although that statement gives away my age group, it is also a statement that defines how individual consumer choices make a difference in creating a more sustainable society.A simple add campaign lead to the change of an entire economic society. We eagerly participate in recycling programs that w... More..
Health & Fitness > Pharmaceuticals (Other) Prescription meds south of the border: Mexico's legal drug trade: 1 of 3
Visit any Mexican town along the US border and you will find a plethora of pharmacies vying for your business with street callers enticing you with buy one Viagra get the second free. Winter months are the high season for most Mexican pharmacies, with the snowbirds flying the cold coop and jamming these pharmacies with their ... More..
Travel > France Are the French hospitable to American tourists?: 9 of 23
I stayed in Paris for two months attending an intensive language school. I had been warned the French would be rude yet I never experienced it. Actually I experienced the opposite.Although I did nothing to fit in and dressed as I did at home in Montana, I was stopped on a daily basis by a Parisian asking for directions. Once ... More..